Strain rate effects on sand and its quantitative analysis

Strain rate effects on the stress—strain behavior of sand were investigated by performing special plane strain and triaxial compression tests on saturated and air-dried sand specimens. In these tests, the loading strain rate was changed many times by a factor of up to 1 000 during otherwise monotonous loading at a constant axial strain rate. Test results show that the stress jump upon a stepwise change in the strain rate decays with an increase in the irreversible strain when monotonous loading continues at the changed strain rate and the amount of stress jump is essentially proportional to the instantaneous stress. Based on the amount of these stress jumps, a parameter β called the rate-sensitivity coefficient is introduced to represent the quantity of the observed viscous properties of sand, which equals 0.021 3 and 0.024 2 respectively for Hostun and Toyoura sands. Further analyses on the results indicate that the effect of the presence of pore water is deemed to be negligible with sand and the β value is rather independent of loading method, wet condition and confining pressure. Foundation item: Project(50679056) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(06-0378) supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University; Project(05SG25) supported by the “Dawn” Program of Shanghai Education Commission, China; Project(B308) supported by the Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline, China     

Synthesis and photophysical and electrochemical properties of new cyclometalated platinum complex containing oxadiazole ligand

A new cyclometalated platinum complex containing 2, 5-bis（naphthalene-1-yl）-1,3,4-oxadiazole ligand was synthesized and characterized. The UV-Vis absorptions and photoluminescent properties of the ligand and its platinum complex were investigated A characteristic metal-ligand charge transfer absorption peak at 439 nm in the UV spectrum and a strong emission peak at 625 nm in the photoluminescence spectrum were observed for this complex in dichloromethane. Cyclic voltammtry （CV） analysis shows that the EHOMO （energy level of the highest occupied molecular orbital） and ELUMO （energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital） of the platinum complex are about -5.69 and -3.25 eV, respectively, indicating that the oxadiazole-based platinum complex has a potential application in electrophosphorescent devices used as a red-emitting material.     

Hybrid optimization model of product concepts

Deficiencies of applying the simple genetic algorithm to generate concepts were specified. Based on analyzing conceptual design and the morphological matrix of an excavator, the hybrid optimization model of generating its concepts was proposed, viz. an improved adaptive genetic algorithm was applied to explore the excavator concepts in the searching space of conceptual design, and a neural network was used to evaluate the fitness of the population. The optimization of generating concepts was finished through the ＂evolution - evaluation＂ iteration. The results show that by using the hybrid optimization model, not only the fitness evaluation and constraint conditions are well processed, but also the search precision and convergence speed of the optimization process are greatly improved. An example is presented to demonstrate the advantages of the orooosed method and associated algorithms.     

First-principle investigation on stability of Co-doped spinel λ-Mn4-xCoxO8

The mechanism of stability of Co-doped spinel λ-MnO2 that is referred to as spinel LixMn2O4 （x=0） was studied by using the first-principle calculation method. The total energy and formation enthalpy can be decreased remarkably due to the Co substation, resulting in a more stable structure ofλ-MnxCr2-xO4. The bond order and DOS analysis were given in detail to explain the nature of stability improvement. The calculated results show that as the content of Co dopant increases, the bond order of Mn-O becomes larger and the peak of density of states around Fermi level shifts toward lower energy. The charge density distribution illustrates that the Mn-O bonding is ionic and partially covalent, and the covalent Mn-O bonding becomes stronger with the increase of Co dopant content. The results confirm that the Co-doping will enhance the stability of λ-MnO2 and hence improve the electrochemistry performance of LixMn2O4.     

Seepage-stress coupling constitutive model of anisotropic soft rock

To provide a seepage-stress coupling constitutive model that can directly describe the seepage-stress coupling relationship, a series of one-dimensional seepage-stress coupling tests on two kinds of soft rock (argillaceous siltstone and brown mudstone) were performed by using an MTS-815.02 tri-axial rock mechanics test system, with which the stress—strain curves according to the seepage variation were obtained. Based on the experimental results and by employing Hooke’s law, the formulation of the coefficient of strain-dependent permeability was presented and introduced to establish a coupling model. In addition, the mathematical expression and the incremental formulation for coupling model were advanced, in which five parameters that can be respectively determined by using the experimental results were included. The calculated results show that the proposed coupling model is capable of simulating the stress—strain relationship with considering the seepage-stress coupling in the nonlinear elastic stage of two kinds of soft rock. Foundation item: Projects(50378069, 50639090) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(50639090) supported by the Joint Fund of Yalong River Hydropower Development, China     

Directly searching method for slip plane and its influential factors based on critical state of slope

In order to determine the slip plane of slope directly by the calculation results of strength reduction method, and analyze the influential factors of slope stability, a numerical model was established in plane strain mode by FLAC3D for homogeneous soil slope, whose parameters were reduced until the slope reached the critical state. Then FISH program was used to get the location data of slip plane from displacement contour lines. Furthermore, the method to determine multiple slip planes was also proposed by setting different heights of elastic areas. The influential factors for the stability were analyzed, including cohesion, internal friction angle, and tensile strength. The calculation results show that with the increase of cohesion, failure mode of slope changes from shallow slipping to the deep slipping, while inclination of slip plane becomes slower and slipping volume becomes larger; with the increase of friction angle, failure mode of slope changes from deep slipping to shallow slipping, while slip plane becomes steeper and upper border of slip plane comes closer to the vertex of slope; the safety factor increases little and slip plane goes far away from vertex of slope with the increase of tensile strength. Foundation item: Project(20060533071) supported by the Doctoral Program Foundation of Higher Education of China; Project (20060400264) supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation; Project (50774093) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project (1343-74236000014) supported by Graduate Student Innovation Foundation of Hunan Province, China     

Effect of quaternary ammonium salts on flotation behavior of aluminosilicate minerals

The electrokinetic properties and flotation of diaspore,kaolinite,pyrophyllite and illite with quaternary ammonium salts collectors were studied.The results of flotation tests show that the collecting ability of quaternary ammonium salts for the four minerals is in the order(from strong to weak)of octadecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride(ODBA),cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB),dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride(DTAC).Under the condition of alkalescence,it is possible to separate the diaspore from the silicate minerals such as kaolinite,illite and pyrophyllite using quaternary ammonium salts as collector.Isoelectric points(IEP)of diaspore,kaolinite,pyrophyllite and illite are pH=6.0,3.4,2.3 and 3.2,respectively.Quaternary ammonium salts can change ζ-potential of the aluminosilicate minerals obviously.The flotation mechanisms were explained by ζ-potential and Fourier transform infrared spectrum(FT-IR)measurements.The results demonstrate that only electrostatic interaction takes place between aluminosilicate     

Residual stresses within sprayed coatings

Some important developments of residual stress researches for coating-based systems were studied. The following topics were included the sources of residual stresses in coatings: error analysis of Stoney’s equation in the curvature method used for the measurement of coating residual stress, the modeling of residual stress and some analytical models for predicting the residual stresses in coatings. These topics should provide some important insights for the fail-safe design of the coating-based systems. Foundation item: Project(50235030) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(2003AA331130) supported by the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China     

Orbital Calculations of Kaolinite Surface： on Substitution of Al^3＋ for Si^4＋ in the Tetrahedral Sites

The surface properties of kaolinite were determined using density functional theory discrete variational method （DFT-DVM） and Gaussian 03 program. A SiO4 tetrahedral hexagonal ring with two A1 octahedra was chosen to model the kaolinite crystal. The total density of states of the kaolinite cluster are located near the Fermi level at both sides of the Fermi level. Both the highest occupied molecular orbit （HOMO） and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbit （LUMO） of kaolinite indicate that kaolinite system can not only readily interact with electron-acceptor species, but also readily interact with electron-donor species on the edge surface and the gibbsite layer surface, and thus, shows amphoteric behavior. Substitution of Al3^＋ for Si4＋ in the tetrahedral site linking the vacant Al3^＋ octahedra does not increase the surface chemical reactivity of kaolinite, while substitution of Al3^＋ for Si^4＋ in the tetrahedral site with the apex O linking Al3^＋ octahedra increase the surface chemical reactivity of the siloxane surface of kaolinite, especially acting as electron donors. Additionally, substitution of Al3^＋. for Si^4＋ in the tetrahedral site results in the re-balance of charges, leading to the increase of negative charge of the coordinated O atoms of the AlO4 tetrahedra, and therefore favoring the formation of ionic bonds between cations and the surface O atoms in the basal plane.     

First-principles lattice stability of Fe, Ru and Os

Lattice constants, total energies and densities of states of transition metals Fe, Ru and Os with BCC, FCC and HCP structures were calculated by the GGA+PBE functional and the ultrasoft pseudo-potential plane wave method, and compared with those of the first-principles projector augmented wave (PAW) method, CALPHAD method and experimental data. The results show that the lattice stability of this work is ΔG ^BCC-HCP>ΔG ^FCC-HCP>0, agreeing well with those of PAW method in the first-principles and CALPHAD method except for BCC-Fe. And the densities of state of HCP-Ru and Os have an obvious character of stable phase, agreeing completely with the results of the total energy calculations. Further analyses of atomic population show that the transition rate of electrons from s to p state for HCP, FCC and BCC crystals increases from Fe to Os, and a stronger cohesion, a higher cohesive energy or a more stable lattice between atoms of heavier metals are formed. Foundation item: Project(20070533118) supported by the Doctoral Discipline Foundation of Ministry of Education of China; Projects(50471058, 50271085) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project supported by the Postdoctoral Foundation of Central South University, China     

Isolation and characterization of Acidithiobacillus caldus from several typical environments in China

Six strains of moderately thermophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were isolated from several different typical environments in China. The identities of the isolates were confirmed by analyses of their 16S rRNA genes, and some key physiological traits. The isolates are Gram negative, rod-shaped bacteria, their optimal temperature and pH value for growth are 45-50 ℃ and 2.5-3.5 respectively. They are autotrophic and used＇elemental sulfur, sodium thiosulfate and potassium tetrathionate as electron donor, while a little glucose stimulated their growth. 16S rDNA sequences analysis reveals that the strains are phylogenetically clustered to Acidithiobacillus caldus.     

The relationship between IR characteristic peak and microstructure of the glass used as optical fiber

Based on the harmonic vibration equation, the relationship between IR characteristic peak of fiberglass and Si-O-Si bond angle was deduced, and 1 100 cm^-1 characteristic peak was specifically studied. It is found that 1 100 cm^-1 characteristic peak shifts to higher wave number when Si-O-Si bond angle increases. Taking fused biconical taper （FBT） coupler as an example, the microstructures of the fiber coupler manufactured at different draw- ing speeds were tested with micro infrared spectrum. According to the test results, it is found that the bond angle at the taper region is the largest, the one at the fused region is the second largest, and the one of bare fiber is the smal- lest. The characteristic peaks of fused-taper region shift to higher wave number when drawing speed increases.     

Delay-independent decentralized H ∞ control for multi-channel discrete-time systems with uncertainties

A robust decentralized H∞ control problem was considered for uncertain multi-channel discrete-time systems with time-delay. The uncertainties were assumed to be time-invariant, norm-bounded, and exist in the system, the time-delay and the output matrices. Dynamic output feedback was focused on. A sufficient condition for the multi-channel uncertain discrete time-delay system to be robustly stabilizable with a specified disturbance attenuation level was derived based on the theorem of Lyapunov stability theory. By setting the Lyapunov matrix as block diagonal appropriately according to the desired order of the controller, the problem was reduced to a linear matrix inequality （LMI） which is sufficient to existence condition but much more tractable. An example was given to show the efficiency of this method.     

Non-fragile delay-dependent H ∞ control of linear time-delay system with uncertainties in state and control input

The problem of designing a non-fragile delay-dependent H∞ state-feedback controller was investigated for a linear time-delay system with uncertainties in state and control input. First, a recently derived integral inequality method and Lyapunov-Krasovskii stability theory were used to derive new delay-dependent bounded real lemmas for a non-fragile state-feedback controller containing additive or multiplicative uncertainties. They ensure that the closed-loop system is internally stable and has a given H∞ disturbance attenuation level. Then, methods of designing a non-fragile H∞ state feedback controller were presented. No parameters need to be tuned and can be easily determined by solving linear matrix inequalities. Finally, the validity of the proposed methods was demonstrated by a numerical example with the asymptotically stable curves of system state and controller output under the initial condition of x（0）=[1 0 -1]^T and h=0.8 time-delay boundary.     

Dynamic simulation of hydrodynamic model of drum level wave action and sloshing

In order to build the model of the drum level wave action and sloshing, based on the method of modularization modeling, the hydrodynamic model of drum level wave action and sloshing was developed, and dynamic simulation researches were carried out based on the model. The results indicate that both drum level and drum length have functional relations with period of drum level wave action and sloshing. When the drum level decreases or drum length increases, the period of drum level wave action and sloshing increases, density of liquid and number of sub-module division have little influence on the period of drum level wave action and sloshing. The model was validated by the analytical solution theory of liquid’s wave action and sloshing in cuboid container, and the 3D graphics of drum level wave action and sloshing was also obtained. The model can dynamically reflect the rules of wave action and sloshing of water in the container exactly.     

Leaching kinetics of low grade zinc oxide ore in NH3-NH4Cl-H2O system

The leaching kinetics of low grade zinc oxide ore in NH3-NH4Cl-H2O system was studied. The effects of ore particle size, reaction temperature and the sum concentration of ammonium ion and ammonia on the leaching efficiency of zinc were examined. The leaching kinetics of low-grade zinc oxide ore in NH3-NH4Cl-H2O system follows the kinetic law of shrinking-core model. The results show that diffusion through the inert particle pores is the leaching kinetics rate controlling step. The calculated apparent activation energy of the process is about 7.057 kJ/mol. The leaching efficiency of zinc is 92.1% under the conditions of ore particle size of 69μm, holding at 80℃ for 60 min, sum ammonia concentration of 7.5 mol/L, the molar ratio of ammonium to ammonia being 2：1, and the ratio （g/mL） of solid to liquid being 1：10.     

Densification and sintering dynamics of 10NiO-NiFe2O4 composites doped with CaO

The effects of CaO content in the range from 0 to 4.0%, and sintering temperature on the phase composition, relative density and electrical conductivity of 10NiO-NiFe2O4 composites doped with CaO were studied. The results show that there is no change of structure for NiO or NiFe2O4; there is apparent oxygen absorbing and releasing behavior during the heating process in air for 10NiO-NiFe2O4 composites. Introduction of CaO can accelerate the densification of 10NiO-NiFe2O4 composites. The maximum value of relative density is 98.75% for composite doped with 2.0% CaO and sintered at 1 200 ℃, which is beyond about 20% for the undoped composites. The sintering activated energy of sample containing 2% CaO decreases by 15.87 kJ/mol, compared with that of the undoped sample.     

Dynamic services selection algorithm in Web services composition supporting cross-enterprises collaboration

Based on the deficiency of time convergence and variability of Web services selection for services composition supporting cross-enterprises collaboration, an algorithm QCDSS (QoS constraints of dynamic Web services selection) to resolve dynamic Web services selection with QoS global optimal path, was proposed. The essence of the algorithm was that the problem of dynamic Web services selection with QoS global optimal path was transformed into a multi-objective services composition optimization problem with QoS constraints. The operations of the cross and mutation in genetic algorithm were brought into PSOA (particle swarm optimization algorithm), forming an improved algorithm (IPSOA) to solve the QoS global optimal problem. Theoretical analysis and experimental results indicate that the algorithm can better satisfy the time convergence requirement for Web services composition supporting cross-enterprises collaboration than the traditional algorithms. Foundation item: Project(70631004) supported by the Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(20080440988) supported by the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China; Project(09JJ4030) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China; Project supported by the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Central South University, China     

Novel fluorescence sensor based on covalent immobilization of 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole via electrostatically assembled gold nanoparticle layer

A novel technique of immobilizing indicator dyes by electrostatic adsorption and covalent bonding to fabricate optical sensors was developed. 3-Amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC) was attached to the outmost surface of quartz glass slide via aminosilanizing the slide, crosslinking chitosan, adsorbing Au nanoparticle, self-assembling HS(CH₂)₁₁OH, and coupling AEC. Thus, an AEC-immobilized optical sensor was obtained. The sensor exhibits a wide linear response range from 7.0×10⁻⁷ to 1.0×10⁻⁴ mol/L and a correlation coefficient of 0.995 9 for the detection of 2-nitrophenol. The detection limit and response time of the sensor are 1.0×10⁻⁷ mol/L and less than 10 s, respectively. The fluorescence intensity of the used sensor can be restored to the blank value by simply rinsing with blank buffer. A very effective matrix for immobilizing indicator dye is provided by the proposed technique, which is adaptable to other indicator dyes with amino groups besides AEC. Foundation item: Project(20775010) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(208095) supported by the Key Project of Ministry of Education, China; Project(07A006) supported by the Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department, China; Project(07JJ3020) supported by Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China     

A sink moving scheme based on local residual energy of nodes in wireless sensor networks

In the application of periodic data-gathering in sensor networks, sensor nodes located near the sink have to forward the data received from all other nodes to the sink, which depletes their energy very quickly. A moving scheme for the sink based on local residual energy was proposed. In the scheme, the sink periodically moves to a new location with the highest stay-value defined by the average residual energy and the number of neighbors. The scheme can balance energy consumption and prevent nodes around sink from draining their energy very quickly in the networks. The simulation results show that the scheme can prolong the network lifetime by 26%–65% compared with the earlier schemes where the sink is static or moves randomly. Foundation item: Project(60673164) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(20060533057) supported by the Specialized Research Foundation for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China